Immigration Operation on Mitcham Road

On Tuesday, I was alerted to a team of Met Police officers stopping fast food delivery drivers and carrying out immigration checks on Mitcham Road. 

The only concerns I have received from local residents (which authorities were copied into) were about social distancing, for which an operation of this size seems excessive. However, the police say it was 'a road safety policing operation'. The Home Office say it was in relation to 'suspected immigration offences'.

This looks like racial profiling - and under the Equalities Act 2010, this may amount to indirect discrimination due to its disproportionate impact on ethnic minority groups. If it's not unlawful, then it's definitely immoral and I cannot defend it.

Our community here in Tooting is inclusive, diverse and welcoming.  The celebratory nature of the police’s response to any arrests is not in line with our local values. 

I have met with the police since and encouraged them to focus their time on fighting crime – not targeting people at work.

---